ed
back, almost to that street, and held there, without a quarter of the
mob knowing that anything was being done. Then a similar operation was
repeated on Forty-third Street and Forty-fourth Street, and possession
was taken of Madison Avenue. Another wedge was driven into the mob and a
section pushed along Forty-second, nearly to Fifth Avenue. Then what was
left of the mob was pushed back from the front of the building down Park
Avenue. Again Peter breathed more freely.

"I think the worst is done," he told his officers. "Fortunately the
crowd did not expect us, and was not prepared to resist. If you can once
split a mob, so that it has no centre, and can't get together again,
except by going round the block, you've taken the heart out of it"

As he said this a soldier came up, and saluting, said: "Captain Moriarty
orders me to inform you that a committee of the strikers ask to see you,
Colonel."

Peter followed the messenger. He found a couple of sentries marking a
line. On one side of this line sat or reclined Company D. and eight
policemen. On the other stood a group of a dozen men, and back of them,
the crowd.

Peter passed the sentry line, and went up to the group. Three were the
committee. The rest were the ubiquitous reporters. From the newspaper
report of one of the latter We quote the rest:

"You wish to see me?" asked Colonel Stirling.

"Yes, Colonel," said Chief Potter. "We are here to remonstrate
with you."

"We've done nothing yet," said Doggett, "and till we had, the
troops oughtn't to have been called in."

"And now people say that the scabs are to be given a regimental
escort to the depot, and will go to work at eight."

"We've been quiet till now," growled a man in the crowd surlily,
"but we won't stand the militia protecting the scabs and rats."

"Are you going to fight for the capitalist?" ask Kurfeldt, when
Colonel Stirling stood silent.

"I am fighting no man's battle, Kurfeldt," replied Colonel
Stirling. "I am obeying orders."

The committee began to look anxious.

"You're no friend of the poor man, and you needn't pose any more,"
shouted one of the crowd.

"Shut your mouth," said Kurfeldt to the crowd. "Colonel Stirling,"
he continued, "we know you're our friend. But you can't stay so
if you fight labor. Take your choice. Be the rich man's servant,
or our friend."

"I know neither rich man nor